What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than curled up with your favorite Rom-Com! Whether you and your partner want to wind down and watch a movie or the girls need to put Galentine’s on full blast, it’s the day of love! That means the only answer is a Rom-Com. Even if you’re celebrating by yourself with some much needed self-love, watching Matthew McConaughey be dreamy is the perfect way to spend the night. I am a Rom-Com fanatic and it’s hard to find one that I have not seen, so whittling this list down was extremely painful. Through tedious deliberation and a slight mental breakdown, I have compiled 14 amazing movies (in respect to the Feb 14), so grab that rosé, those heart shaped chocolates, and a cozy blanket as I take you through the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Rom-Com Guide!
Valentine’s Day
In honor of the holiday, I had to include Valentine’s Day, which premiered in 2010, from director Garry Marshall, the king who gave us The Princess Diaries and Pretty Women. This adorable movie has an ensemble cast composed of Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Patrick Dempsey, among other legends. Follow the interconnected stories of a florist, a football star, high schoolers, a teacher, and other Los Angeles residents as they navigate the holiday dedicated to love and all the chaos that accompanies it. You can catch Valentine’s Day on Hulu with a subscription or Apple TV and Amazon Prime for rent/purchasing.
10 Things I Hate About You
Without a doubt 10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite movies of all time. What’s not to love about a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew brimming with Y2K brilliance? And it stars Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger? Absolutely nothing! Kat Stratford does whatever she wants and that includes avoiding dating at all costs, which is fine until it gets in her younger sister Bianca’s way because Bianca can’t date until Kat does. A scheme to woo Kat is concocted with resident mysterious bad boy Patrick Verona smack dab in the center, but will Kat fall and will Bianca get her chance at romance? Find out by watching the lovable classic on Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, or Freeform.
You’ve Got Mail
Watch Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks get mail! Seriously though, this Rom-Com is to die for as rival book store owners battle it out with snarky comments and enamoring sarcasm. The twist: they secretly are digital penpals who develop a deep connection and long for something more. This 1998 retelling of The Shop Around the Corner is packed with hearty laughs and heartfelt moments. I mean, you cannot go wrong with queen Nora Ephron directing at the helm! Watch You’ve Got Mail on Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
“You’re So Vain,” the yellow dress, Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and a love fern. The basic components of a classic Rom-Com and you can find them all in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. When Andy, a magazine columnist, is tasked with getting a guy to break up with her in 10 days and Ben is bet he can’t make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days, hijinks, love, and a cringey poker game are bound to ensue. I personally love this movie and think it has something for everyone: a hot lead man, an endearing lead girl, and a funny best friend (thank you Kathryn Hahn)! Check out Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Freeform, or Paramount+ to watch one of the classics.
The Proposal
The Proposal puts the “com” in Rom-Com like no other when Sandra Bullock’s character, Margaret, is facing deportation status because her Canadian work visa has expired. This powerhouse of a stubborn editor uses her quick thinking and concludes that the only way to keep her job is to have her exasperated, overworked assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds’ character) be her fiance. To convince Immigration the ruse is real, the couple embarks on a trip to Andrew’s hometown in Alaska to celebrate his grandma’s birthday. The best part of this whole movie: Betty White is Ryan Reynolds’ grandma! With Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Betty White in a movie, nothing can go wrong. If you want to laugh and watch these two fall in love, catch The Proposal on Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
Hitch
Sometimes, we have to wait for love to find us, but that does not mean we cannot push fate in the right direction. Thanks to Alex Hitchinson (Will Smith), a consultant on love, the men around New York City have been wielding fate in order to get the girls of their dreams. Everything is dandy until Albert Brennamen (Kevin James), a bumbling, sweet guy, wants to catch the attention of heiress Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta). On top of that, Hitch meets Sara, a gossip columnist that spins his world around. He’s got a lot on his plate with hitching Albert and Allegra, winning Sara, facing his own relationship issues, and keeping Sara off the scent as she digs for dirt on Allegra’s relationship and the mysterious “Love Doctor.” Hitch is one of the funniest and most heartwarming movies, and it’s a good lesson that there are no rules to love. You can find it on Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
Serendipity
Johnathan met Sara one night and all he has to show for it is a black glove, a used book and dollar bill floating around somewhere in the universe, and a whole lot of hope. Serendipity is a testament that fate has a mind of its own and sometimes you need to trust destiny. Will Johnathan and Sara meet again after 10 years and with a whole country between them? Kate Beckinsale and John Cusake carry this film with charm, longing, trust, and anticipation that will frustrate everyone. I highly recommend Serendipity because of its cute humor, but also it will remind you that you meet everyone for a reason and sometimes, you just need to have a little faith. It is available on Max, Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
Letters to Juliet
Enemies to Lovers but one has a British accent and the other is Amanda Seyfriend? Sign. Me. Up! When visiting Verona, Italy with her work-aholic fiance, Sophie stumbles upon a wall where the heartbroken leave letters asking Juliet Capulet for romantic advice. She finds a letter from 1957 and writes to the author, an elderly woman named Claire. Inspired by Sophie’s words, Claire, her grandson Charlie, and Sophie embark on a quest to find Claire’s teenage love from a summer in Italy. Charlie disapproves of the entire charade and blames Sophie for the foolish idea, but anything can happen in Italy. Find Letters to Juliet on Amazon Prime with a subscription or Apple TV.
Crazy Rich Asians
John M. Chu transformed Kevin Kwan’s novel into an instant classic. Rachel (Constance Wu) thinks she knows everything about her boyfriend Nicholas Young (Henry Golding), until she goes to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore and discovers that he is rich. Filthy rich. A rich family is not complete with at least a smidge of crazy. Rachel has to survive this wedding, a jealous ex, spoiled cousins, and the most daunting task of all: impress Nick’s mother. I love this movie because you are sure to laugh (especially with Awkwafina as the best friend) and dream that you had the same luxuries as Eleanor Young. To see if Rachel makes it out alive and with as little threats as possible, go to Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
My Best Friend’s Wedding
I would not be doing my job if I didn’t include at least one Julia Roberts Rom-Com, and in my humble opinion, My Best Friend’s Wedding is the best one (sorry Runaway Bride and Notting Hill). Julianne and Michael made a pact that if they were still single by the time they turned 28, they would marry each other. On the cusp of her 28th birthday, Julianne is eager to marry Michael, until he derails the entire plan and announces his engagement to 20 year old Kimmy. Now Julianne has one goal: ruin that wedding. This movie is absolutely delightful and will give you a chuckle as you witness a bathroom beat down, a chase with a bakery truck, some amazing karaoke, and an important lesson about accepting our own happy ending. And to boot: Dermont Mulroney (so dreamy) is the leading man and Cameron Diaz dazzles as Kimmy. If you want to see Julia Roberts in her effortless 90s style, then head to Netflix, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
Love, Rosie
If you want your heart ripped out in the best way, look no further than Love, Rosie. Rosie and Alex have been friends for years, but after a drunken kiss on Rosie’s 18th birthday (that she cannot remember), miscommunication keeps their relationship platonic and Alex moves an ocean away to study at Harvard. As years and lovers pass, will Rosie and Alex finally unite? This movie is frustrating to a new level as Lily Collins and Sam Claflin just keep missing each other by mere inches, but that and the British accents are part of its charm. Catch Love, Rosie on Paramount+, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
The Wedding Date
Personally, if my younger sister was getting married before me and an option was to pay Dermot Mulroney to be my date, I would not hesitate. Kat Ellis (Debra Messing) has the same idea as she travels to London for her sister’s wedding and wants to prove to everyone, especially her ex who happens to be the best man, that her love life is perfect. Nick is just the man for the job. Easily, The Wedding Date is one of my favorite movies and after watching, it will be yours as well. Head to Peacock, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime to see a chaotic hen do and stag party, ugly bridesmaid dresses, and an iconic car chase ensue.
Love at First Sight
It’s a well known fact that the 90s-2000s ruled when it came to Rom-Coms, and modern-day movies simply do not measure up. However, Love at First Sight gives hope that a new era of quality Rom-Coms is awaiting. Hadley and Oliver meet in an airport and fall in love over the course of their flight to London, but a broken phone is determined to keep them from meeting again. However, love with a little perseverance always finds a way. Haley Lu Richardson continues to be a perfect mix of unconventional and endearing as Ben Hardy is effortlessly charming. This movie is a Netflix original and trust me this film has all classic elements of a noteworthy Rom-Com, specifically a race against time to confess feelings.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
If you have a big family, you will love this movie. If you are Greek, you will love this movie. If you are neither of those things, you are going to love this movie. When Toula, the wallflower of the family, brings home Ian, her family is going to have some things to say. He’s not Greek, he’s not Catholic, and worst of all: he’s vegetarian. This movie is amazing with its quotable one-liners, lovable characters, and the lesson that the perfect person will love you for you. I swear you will never look at windex the same after watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It is available on Max, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime. Oh! And it has two sequels (you’re welcome)!
If I had it my way, I would list every single Rom-Com since I am a devoted fan, but I had to narrow it down. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day whether you are celebrating with your partner, Galentines, or even by yourself. Watching a good movie can be a needed reminder that life happens in all sorts of ways, and when things don’t go according to plan, it’s best to laugh and make the most of the plot. A Rom-Com is a good reminder to appreciate those we love, from our leading lady/man to our supportive best friend. Happy Valentine’s Day yall!